Serve the Person You Once Were

My journey to this point in my career has not been a story of struggle or heartbreak. I actually had a lot of success as an educator and working in the technology sector. I made all the predictable right moves and stayed loyal to my organizations, earning a solid reputation and all the accolades. I took on additional responsibilities and projects, trying to earn recognition and feel worthy. Yet I found myself still wanting more. First I questioned my workload, then I questioned my compensation. In education, we all enter the field with full hearts ready to serve. We don't question what is required of us and we never question the pay. When I did wise up and try to negotiate my compensation, I stumbled through it and failed to get what I felt was fair. I didn't know there were other ways to earn more. However I have since learned there were limits to what my school system could offer me, but there are no limits to what I could earn on my own.

When COVID shut down the schools and we moved to remote learning, it ignited a firestorm within the eLearning industry. Organizations everywhere were suddenly trying to keep up with the demand to provide online learning options like never before. Most of what was offered was rough and clunky, but people still wanted it. In years since the pandemic eased up, the demand for online learning only continued to skyrocket. Turns out that offering lessons and trainings online was cost efficient and accessible for nearly any audience. My long education career included managing online learning options and training people to deliver quality instruction through virtual means. Although this was second nature to me, there seemed to be a surprising number of folks that were completely intimidated by virtual teaching. This is where I discovered a need where I could serve in a new way.

Fast forward to now and I am trying to get the word out to as many veteran educators as I can that there are other ways to continue their career of service. Veteran educators already know lesson design and delivery. They understand classroom management. They definitely know how to engage an audience. Partner all of these skills with some targeted tips on how to do these things in a virtual learning environment. That unlocks a whole new avenue of marketability and earning potential. Instead of waiting to be picked like I did, they can take charge of their options. I plan to be there to guide them and show them all the possibilities.

So for all my teacher colleagues, this is for you. I want to leave you with a message of empowerment and the promise of boundless opportunities. As a fellow educator who has walked the path you're on, I understand the desire for more, the longing to make a greater impact, and the ambition to seize control of your career. It's time to trust in yourself, to believe in the wealth of skills and knowledge you've honed throughout your teaching journey.

The eLearning industry is booming, and the demand for online educators is stronger than ever. You possess a treasure trove of expertise, from lesson design to classroom management, and the ability to engage learners. The missing piece of the puzzle might just be mastering the art of virtual teaching. This is where I come in, ready to be your guide, your mentor, and your partner in exploring the endless avenues of virtual education.

Don't wait to be chosen; choose yourself. Take the reins of your career and unlock the full spectrum of your potential. There are no limits to what you can achieve as an online teacher. I invite you to trust in this new journey, to embrace the possibilities that lie ahead, and to remember that the future of education is at your fingertips. Together, we can make an even greater impact, and together, we can inspire the next generation of online educators. Welcome to a world of endless opportunities – it's time to take charge and write your own success story.

See you online!

Dr. Akilah Willery